Workstream 2 - Travel and Transport
2.1 The remaining five eRCVs are scheduled for delivery by the end of this financial year (March 2022). Due to ongoing supply issues, two vehicles may become available in April.
2.2 Global developments are having implications for the supply of batteries. The status of EVs in the Manchester City Council fleet is 37 fully electric vehicles and 3 hybrid - an increase of two since last quarter. The additional vans were allocated to Pest Control. Twelve electric cargo bikes and 3 trailers will also be integrated into the Council’s fleet.
2.3 Following approval of the Sustainable Staff Travel Policy by the Personnel Committee in December 2021, a training briefing has been delivered for Human Resources and Organisational Development (HROD) to clarify policy details and any possible implications. Discussions have also taken place with the Performance, Research and Intelligence team to look at ways to monitor business travel.
A new specification is being developed for a travel booking provider and to prioritise travel by more sustainable modes. Recruitment is underway for a post in HROD to support the embedding and engagement work for this policy. This role will sit alongside the carbon literacy training role and a wider zero carbon behaviour change role within HROD. Work is also taking place to enable the functionality in the finance system (SAP) for staff to reclaim Bee Network bike hire charges for business use.
2.4 Funding from the Active Travel Fund and the Mayor's Challenge Fund is supporting work on several Bee Network schemes: The Northern Quarter scheme is underway, with various sections having commenced, completed or within the detailed design phase. Work started onsite at the Victoria Northern Eastern Gateway scheme in January. Chorlton Cycleway is mostly complete with one area onsite. Consultation on the Levenshulme and Burnage scheme is complete and detailed designs are being progressed. Designs are progressing on the Fallowfield Loop/Manchester Cycleway with some early works planned for spring. Proposals are being developed for improvements and road safety measures in Wythenshawe and consultation is due before the end of the financial year. Proposals are being considered for the development of the City Centre Triangle. Heaton Park active travel work has started through the development of a transport plan.
2.5 The draft annual progress report for the GM Transport Strategy 2040 was published for consideration by GM Transport Committee at its meeting on 18 February. The GM City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement Programme Case was submitted to Government on 31 January. Final negotiations with Government are underway ahead of funding confirmation expected by the end of 2021-22 financial year.
2.6 Indicative funding allocations have been secured for priority schemes as part of the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlements (CRSTS) Programme submission to Government in January, including Deansgate, Ancoats Mobility Hub, City Centre Key Corridors, City Centre Bus Improvements and Victoria North Bus Corridor. The business cases are now being developed for these schemes to secure funding for delivery during the CRSTS funding period (5 years).
Work is underway by Transport for Greater Manchester to quantify carbon reduction benefits expected through delivery of sustainable transport mode shift targets set out in the City Centre Transport Strategy. This work will be ready as part of the strategy’s annual report planned for mid-2022.
2.8 Work continues to develop incentives and provide sustainable commuting options for staff.
A new flexi ticket discount has been agreed with Stagecoach and will be promoted to staff. Conversations are being had with Love to Ride and the Cyclescheme, to promote cycling post March - ahead of the summer. Funding has been requested to incentivise staff trying out different travel modes. This includes a request to Transport for Greater Manchester about corporate membership of the bike hire scheme. Ultra-Low Emissions Vehicle (ULEV) leasing procurement documents are awaiting approval and a procurement specification has been agreed for a ULEV leasing scheme for staff as a salary sacrifice option